Patents by Inventor Hans Mueller

Hans Mueller has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10335824
    Abstract: A glue application roller for use in a gluing assembly equipped with at least one scooping roller includes a glue roller body that is provided with a central hole to receive a drive shaft. The glue roller body has at least two parts including a base and an outer ring. The base is operatively connected to the drive shaft by a non-positive fit. The outer ring is configured with at least one cavity. The base and the outer ring are coupled to each other non-positively via at least one first means. On at least one side of the glue roller body, there are second means that ensure that compressed air and/or another gaseous or liquid medium is fed into or discharged from the cavity so as to effectuate a change in a circumferential contour of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: MUELLER MARTINI HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Patent number: 10166807
    Abstract: A method for applying portions of a backlining material to a back of a book block includes transporting the book block in a conveying direction in a book production line. The back of the book block is provided with an adhesive, wherein the book block is initially provided with the adhesive over an entire back length of the book block in a single application process. Then, the portions of the backlining material are applied in succession to the back of the book block, wherein at least a first portion of the backlining material is applied by a first conveying device and subsequently at least a second portion of the backlining material is applied by a second conveying device to the back of the book block such that at least one of the portions overlaps another one of the portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: MUELLER MARTINI HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Publication number: 20180332754
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Vinca plant named ‘Rainer’ that is characterized by young leaves that are variegated yellow-green in color, a compact habit and violet-blue colored flowers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Patent number: 10112428
    Abstract: A shaping tool for a device for rounding a spine region and for shaping a folding region of a lying outstretched book cover, the folding region being adjacent on either side of the spine region, in accordance with a shape of a spine of a book block, which subsequently forms a book together with the book cover, includes a fixed, convex central shaping strip. Two convex outer shaping rails laterally adjoin the central shaping strip and are laterally adjustable according to a required rounding and width of the spine region of the book cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: MUELLER MARTINI HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Patent number: 10099501
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the preforming and rounding of a book block. A support strip is arranged at an adjustable loading height for accommodating a fore-edge of the book block to be rounded. A transport device transports the book block at the loading height toward the support strip. A preform press is adjustable in a vertical direction above the back of the book block and includes at least two preforming tools. A rounding device including two rounding rolls driven in opposite directions for rotation around parallel rotational axes clamps the book block between the two rounding rolls for rounding the book block. At least a first drive is connected to at least one of the preforming tools to displace at least one of the preforming tools in a longitudinal direction extending parallel to the rotational axes to change a spacing between the preforming tools in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: MUELLER MARTINI HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Patent number: 10059139
    Abstract: A cover feeder for providing book covers to a production unit of a book completion line includes a first receiving device for book covers of the same format, which can be positioned individually, in an overlapping flow and/or in a stack thereon, and a second receiving device that is arranged upstream of the first receiving device for a stack of book covers having different formats. The cover feeder includes a control unit to which information can be transmitted relating to the format and sequence of book covers in the stack of book covers having different formats, and a laterally adjustable centering device connected to the control unit for a defined lateral displacement and/or aligning of respectively one book cover that is separated out from the second receiving device and is positioned on the first receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: MUELLER MARTINI HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Patent number: 9950550
    Abstract: A device for shaping a folding region of a lying outstretched book cover includes first and second shaping tools for book blocks having straight and round spines, respectively. A countertool has two counter shaping rails. In a working position, one of the shaping tools is aligned with an inner face of the spine region of the book cover and is configured to raise the spine region of the book cover between the two counter shaping rails to form a spine strip. A single actuator for the shaping tools is in each case arranged in the working position. A tool beam is in each case arranged in the working position and configured to be coupled to the single actuator. Each shaping tool has two shaping rails which are spaced apart, laterally adjustable and are designed so as to be adjustable collectively to change a distance therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: MUELLER MARTINI HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Patent number: 9950551
    Abstract: A preheating station for different shaping tools for shaping a folding region of a lying outstretched book cover includes a plurality of receiving spaces for the different shaping tools for shaping different book covers lying outstretched. At least one heating element is arranged in a region of each of the receiving spaces and a temperature sensor is connected to the heating element. A control device is connected to the one heating element and the temperature sensor. A sensor is connected to the control device and configured to detect at least one identifying feature of the different shaping tools received in the preheating station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: MUELLER MARTINI HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Patent number: 9919552
    Abstract: A book case processing portion of a book production line forms a combination with a device for the removal of at least one book case from a stream of book cases conveyed in a main conveying direction along the book case processing portion of the book production line. The device includes a deposit tray that is extendible into the stream to remove the at least one book case from the stream of book cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: MUELLER MARTINI HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Publication number: 20170341101
    Abstract: A glue application roller for use in a gluing assembly equipped with at least one scooping roller includes a glue roller body that is provided with a central hole to receive a drive shaft. The glue roller body has at least two parts including a base and an outer ring. The base is operatively connected to the drive shaft by a non-positive fit. The outer ring is configured with at least one cavity. The base and the outer ring are coupled to each other non-positively via at least one first means. On at least one side of the glue roller body, there are second means that ensure that compressed air and/or another gaseous or liquid medium is fed into or discharged from the cavity so as to effectuate a change in a circumferential contour of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Publication number: 20170305182
    Abstract: A preheating station for different shaping tools for shaping a folding region of a lying outstretched book cover includes a plurality of receiving spaces for the different shaping tools for shaping different book covers lying outstretched. At least one heating element is arranged in a region of each of the receiving spaces and a temperature sensor is connected to the heating element. A control device is connected to the one heating element and the temperature sensor. A sensor is connected to the control device and configured to detect at least one identifying feature of the different shaping tools received in the preheating station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Publication number: 20170305183
    Abstract: A shaping tool for a device for rounding a spine region and for shaping a folding region of a lying outstretched book cover, the folding region being adjacent on either side of the spine region, in accordance with a shape of a spine of a book block, which subsequently forms a book together with the book cover, includes a fixed, convex central shaping strip. Two convex outer shaping rails laterally adjoin the central shaping strip and are laterally adjustable according to a required rounding and width of the spine region of the book cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Publication number: 20170305181
    Abstract: A device for shaping a folding region of a lying outstretched book cover includes first and second shaping tools for book blocks having straight and round spines, respectively. A countertool has two counter shaping rails. In a working position, one of the shaping tools is aligned with an inner face of the spine region of the book cover and is configured to raise the spine region of the book cover between the two counter shaping rails to form a spine strip. A single actuator for the shaping tools is in each case arranged in the working position. A tool beam is in each case arranged in the working position and configured to be coupled to the single actuator. Each shaping tool has two shaping rails which are spaced apart, laterally adjustable and are designed so as to be adjustable collectively to change a distance therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Publication number: 20170239971
    Abstract: A cover feeder for providing book covers to a production unit of a book completion line includes a first receiving device for book covers of the same format, which can be positioned individually, in an overlapping flow and/or in a stack thereon, and a second receiving device that is arranged upstream of the first receiving device for a stack of book covers having different formats. The cover feeder includes a control unit to which information can be transmitted relating to the format and sequence of book covers in the stack of book covers having different formats, and a laterally adjustable centering device connected to the control unit for a defined lateral displacement and/or aligning of respectively one book cover that is separated out from the second receiving device and is positioned on the first receiving device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: MUELLER MARTINI HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Hans MUELLER
  • Patent number: 9731537
    Abstract: A method for providing a stack of book covers for production of finished books includes supplying a task stack of book covers having identical cover formats and stacked one above another in an unknown or known sequence. Each book cover in the task stack includes an identifier comprising cover information. The book covers are separated out and conveyed from the task stack as separate book covers in a sequence that does not change until a completion signal is transmitted. The separated out book covers are counted, an identifier on each separated out book cover is detected, and cover information is read out of the respective identifier stored. The separated out book covers are deposited on top of one another in the sequence in which they were separated out for forming a detected stack. An identifier is stored that identifies the detected stack together with the temporarily stored cover information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: MUELLER MARTINI HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Publication number: 20170217240
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the preforming and rounding of a book block. A support strip is arranged at an adjustable loading height for accommodating a fore-edge of the book block to be rounded. A transport device transports the book block at the loading height toward the support strip. A preform press is adjustable in a vertical direction above the back of the book block and includes at least two preforming tools. A rounding device including two rounding rolls driven in opposite directions for rotation around parallel rotational axes clamps the book block between the two rounding rolls for rounding the book block. At least a first drive is connected to at least one of the preforming tools to displace at least one of the preforming tools in a longitudinal direction extending parallel to the rotational axes to change a spacing between the preforming tools in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: MUELLER MARTINI HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Hans MUELLER
  • Patent number: 9375969
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for exchanging an application roller which is aligned with a duct roller used to apply glue to a spine of a book block by rolling off the book block spine. The duct roller removes glue from a glue container to transfer glue to the application roller. At least two application rollers are arranging spaced apart, relative to each other, with one of the application rollers being positioned aligned and in contact with the duct roller. The duct roller and the at least two application rollers each have an axis of rotation that is positioned substantially normal to the conveying direction. The application rollers are moved in an axial direction with the aid of an exchanging device, such that a second one of the application rollers is moved into alignment with and against the duct roller in place of the first application roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: MUELLER MARTINI MARKETING AG
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Publication number: 20160176217
    Abstract: A method for applying portions of a backlining material to a back of a book block includes transporting the book block in a conveying direction in a book production line. The back of the book block is provided with an adhesive, wherein the book block is initially provided with the adhesive over an entire back length of the book block in a single application process. Then, the portions of the backlining material are applied in succession to the back of the book block, wherein at least a first portion of the backlining material is applied by a first conveying device and subsequently at least a second portion of the backlining material is applied by a second conveying device to the back of the book block such that at least one of the portions overlaps another one of the portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Patent number: 9199505
    Abstract: A method and device for the production of books, including: moving book blocks successively along a conveying section of a book production line; supplying a stack of book cases to the book production line; identifying a marking on each of the book blocks and the book cases; transmitting an identified marking on at least one book case to a machine control of the book production line; assigning a dataset stored in the machine control for a sequence of book cases to the supplied stack; determining a sequence in the machine control for book blocks positioned on the conveying section; comparing the dataset for the sequence of the book cases to the sequence of the book blocks; and removing and/or supplying at least one book block from or to the conveying section if the sequence of the book blocks deviates from the sequence of the book cases using the machine control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Muller Martini Holding AG
    Inventor: Hans Mueller
  • Patent number: PP30092
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Vinca plant named ‘Rainer’ that is characterized by young leaves that are variegated yellow-green in color, a compact habit and violet-blue colored flowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Inventor: Hans Mueller